Combined letter-sheet and envelop.



J. FINKENHAGEN.

COMBINED LETTER SHEET AND ENVELOP.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23 IQIB.

Patented Dec. 24, 1918.

R O T N E V N m- Mi M WITNESSES ATTORNEY UNITED STATES JACOB FINKENHAGEN. OF ELLSWORTH, IOWA.

COMBINED LETTER-SHEET AND ENVELOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 24, 1918.

Application-filed February 23. 1918. 'Serial No. 218,788.

To all whom it may r-ancern:

Be itknown that I, JACOB FINKENHAGES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ellsworth, in the county of Hamilton and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Letter-Sheets and Envelope, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to combined letter sheets and envelope, and has for its primary object to generally simplify and improve devices of this character as well as to increase ,their eiiiciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide a letter sheet of such construction that the envelop formed by folding the same in the prescribed manner can be used more than once, and can be used.efiectively in first class or second class mails.

Still other objects reside in providing a device of the character described which is of extremely simple and inexpensive construction, which may be easily folded in proper position for transportation, which may be opened without destroying the letter sheet or contents and which will prove thoroughly practical in use.

\Vith these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination, and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank used in the construction of the combined letter sheet and envelop,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view sheet partly folded,

Fig. 3 is a similar view, on anenlarged scale, showing the device as it will appear when being used for first class mail, and.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the device as used for transporting matter by second class mail.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 5 indicates generally the bodv of the improved device, which is formed of a single sheet of material, such as paper. rectangular formation, and in the present instance this body is square. This sheet is scored diagonally as at 6, and is also scored at 7, S. 9, and 10. the last mentioned scorings providing flaps 11. .12. 13. and 14. It will be observed that the scorings T. 8, 9. and 10.

showing the extend from edge to edge of the sheet, and the said scorings terminate at the said edges intermediate the comers thereof. The said scorings define a square space in the middle of the sheet, the said space being indicated at 15, and being adapted to receive writing. printing or other inscriptions. The flap 14 is provided near its edges with adhesive 16,

while the flaps 11 and 13 are provided upon the reverse side and adjacent their lines of fold with adhesive 17. In using the combined letter sheet and envelop for transpon tation in first class mail, the flaps 11, 12, and 13 are bent upon the scorings 7. 8, and 9, and the corners of the said flaps .will meet at the center of the sheet, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower par of the bod thus formed is bent upwardly upon the line 6, and the adhesive 17 of the flaps 11 and 13 may be moistened so as to cause the said lower and upper portions of the bodv to stick together. The flap '14 is then bent downwardly over the upwardly bent portion of the lower part of the body and the adhesive 16 is moistened and the said flap is pressed firmly against the exterior surface of the said lower portion. The envelop thus formed is securely sealed. and cannot be opened without either tearing awav the flap 14 or moistening the adhesive 16 thereon. Considerable space for inscriptions is providedupon the interior surface of the bodv. as it will be understood that any or all of the flaps 11, 12, 13. and Li mav be used for this purpose. in addition to the central portion 15. a

When it is desired to use the device for second class mail. the device is folded in the manner shown in Fig. 4. Assuming the body to be folded as shown in Fig. 2. the sheets or other matter to be transported are inserted beneath the flaps 13. 11. and 1:2. whereupon the flap 14: is bent upon the line 10 so that the point thereof meets the points of the other flaps. The body is then folded upon the line 6. and a cord or rubber band 18 is passed around the folded body. The contents of the envelop are securely held in position and cannot become accidentally disengaged therefrom. while. at the same time, the envelop is not sealed and complies with the laws governing the transportation of packages or articles by second class mail.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a combined letter sheet or envelop of extremely simple construction and which may be adapted to various; uses. The sheet may be readily folded and sealed, and the use of correspondence sheets with such a device is entirely unnecessary, although it: will he understood, of course, that (orrespondence sheets may be confined within the various flaps if desired.

I claim:-

A combined letter sheet and envelop comprising a body consisting of a single sheet of material of equal length and breadth, the said Sheet being stored diagonally, flaps formed by scoring the said sheet upon lines parallel with and at right angles to the said diagonal scoring. the said flap scores extending to andmeeting each other at the edges of thesheet midway the corners thereof, and certain of. the flaps thus formed be ing provided with adhesive, certain of the said flaps being adapted to be bent upon the scorings until the corners of the said flaps meet at the center of the sheet, the lower part of the body thus formed being then bent upwardly on the said diagonal scoring, the remaining flap being provided with an adhesive and bent. downwardly over the said upwardly bent portion and fastened thereto by the said adhesive.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JACOB FINKENHAGEN. \Vitnesses FRED FiximNnaenx',

J. E. PETERSON, 

